Rating: 
Summary: BEWARE - C_DILLA ... / COPY PROTECTION
Review: I have used TurboTax for eight years, but this year they have used a highly intrusive, insidious ...registration/copy protection [program] called C_dilla. They don't tell you they're going to install it.... It loads every time at Windows startup whether TurboTax is used or not. After three hours trying to uninstall TurboTax and C_dilla, I finally had to use the Windows system restore feature to roll back by computer to a prior restore point. I am now going to return this product. I won't let it on my computer....
Rating:
Summary: BEWARE new product activation
Review: First let me say I have been a Turbo Tax user for over 5 years and love the product. That said, if you decide to purchase Turbo Tax, be very careful....My copy of Turbo Tax was actived 3 days before I purchased it and the best Tech Support could do was to tell me to return it to the place of purchase and try another package. So, buyer beware is definitely the rule with Turbo Tax 2002.
Rating: 
Summary: Keeps Getting Better
Review: This product keeps getting better. We still get our copy of Ernst & Young tax book as a reference, but TurboTax is getting better all the time. We did ours by hand for many years, before converting to doing both by hand and electronically. Last year was the first year we only did it electronically (even just a few years ago, most of the tax software was not adequate). This year, we are using TurboTax again, after reviewing the competition. Some minor improvements in forms being easier to access have made this year's a little better.
Rating:
Summary: Buy TaxCut
Review: As a loyal TurboTax user since at least '94, I was shocked to find that this year's licensing restricts the software for printing to a single computer. I have contacted Intuit support and I was told that if I (1) buy a new computer (2) want to print from work (3) my computer crashes (4) any other reason I can't get my pc to print, I will have to buy a new license from Intuit. It sounds like they've decided to license personal finance software like an Operating System from Microsoft. I really don't understand that mentality. I don't believe that computers use personal finance software, I think people do. Buy TaxCut, I know I will next year (or if my PC crashes, etc.) and send Intuit a strong message!
Rating:
Summary: activation=beware
Review: I've used this program for many years, and it is an excellent tax program, but the new activation scheme makes it a poor choice now for me. Here's why: I can no longer work on my taxes on the computer in my study (that has no attached printer), and then copy the tax file and print out the results on another computer in my same house that IS attached to a printer, without buying another "license"--that is, another turbotax program at the list price! The program can only be installed on one PC. Tough luck if it the one you work on but is not attached to a printer. You can't copy the tax file and print it out elsewhere because you can't install the program you bought "elsewhere"--even in the same household-you have to buy another program! In my house, the computer with the printer is not where I can find the peace and quiet to work on my taxes. That one is in my study, but does not have a printer. I copy all other files--word documents etc and transfer them to the 'family room' computer for printing. Can't do that with turbotax without buying 2 programs. I use to put turbotax on both computers, and use one in my study for working on the taxes and the other for printing out the final result. Can't do that anymore unless I buy another program. I know they want to prevent unlawful copies, but they could have crippled only the print or email function, so you couldn't unlawlfully give the program to someone else (it wouldn't be useful without the ability to print the return)--instead they disallow installation totally on more than one computer. If this isn't an issue with you--and it won't be for many users, it's a great tax program, but in my situation (and for others like me)you'll have to buy another program to print the tax return.
Rating: 
Summary: I have used this product for several years- works great
Review: I have used both this product (2001 and 2000 versions) and TaxCut by HRBlock/Kiplinger. They are essentially the same, but I give the edge to Quicken and Turbo Tax. In my mind the best way to think of tax software is that it is just a program that will ask you some questions (ex. about your w-2 or mortgage interest) and then fill out your tax return and do the math. If you then choose you can use the program to e-file your return (great feature). The software works, is very much bug free and can make some complicated things easier to handle.
I have used the program to prepare three returns this year.
1) with a straight w2, the only deduction was student loan interest. This was very simple and was done within a half an hour. I printed out a few copies (no need for a copier) and that was it.
2) A W-2 with many deductions-medical, mortgage, real estate taxes, Brokerage statements from three firms. Estimated tax payments. AND an IRA conversion to a ROTH.
I was very happy to be able to download the statements directly from Vanguard and CSFB Direct. It saved me a lot of data entry (your still need to enter your basis), and it helped me handle the Roth conversion easily.
3) A w-2 with a schedule C for a sole propritorship. I imported directly from Quickbooks. I encountered only a few problems which were caused by misclassifications in Quickbooks-they were not the fault of Turbo Tax. In all I am very satisfied. I know I saved hundreds of dollars by not using an accountant. I am pretty sophisticated about finincial matters but I was still suprised by how easily the program handled my "complex" situations--they turned out not to be. Just a warning-don't forget to save the Proof of purchase from you your box. If there are any rebates or refunds yo will need it.
Rating: 
Summary: Back to the Eighties
Review: TurboTax 2002 prevents you from using the program on more than one computer. You can install it on a second PC but you cannot print a return on it. What a cheap shot!
Rating: 
Summary: Activation Stinks but Still The Best Way to do Your Taxes!
Review: This is my fifth year using Quicken TurboTax and it will be my third year using the state tax version. I'm sold on it. I can't imagine going back to pen and paper to do taxes. The program takes you step-by-step through the tax process by asking you questions about the various sections of the forms. It also prompts you to make you remember about things that may have slipped you mind, like other deductions. And, it makes suggestions for deductions that you may not have thought about. At the end of the process you can print out the forms for mailing in the traditional format or in a format that's easy for the IRS computers to read. In addition, you can opt to file electronicly. The help section IS very helpful. It actually makes sense of the rules and instructions for filing your taxes and explains the relevant sections of the tax code in easy to understand language. My one suggestion is that you have all your papers with you before you start the process. You can, of course, save your work and come back to finish or edit it, but it is a pain to be half way through and remember that your mortgage statement is two floors away. I'm giving it three stars instead of five because of the product activation. Bad job Intuit. However, the activation doesn't prevent you from installing on more than one computer but it does prevent you from printing or electronically filing from the second computer. Still, you can take your saved file from work or where ever and bring it home to print or file. I tried Taxcut this year because of the product activation on TurboTax. I had problems with it right off. It stated on the box that you could import TurboTax files but when I tried it wouldn't let me. The Taxcut web site suggested that this was a common problem and that you had to edit your TurboTax file (with TurboTax) to bring it down to a certain size. Still, it didn't tell you what that size was ok or really give you any idea on what to cut out. (I thought all of the our tax info was important). My advice: The activation stinks but TurboTax is still the best tax prep software.
Rating:
Summary: Lack of assistance & hidden expense
Review: Problem with all Intuit products is that their support is both inert and inept. They also fail to tell you that the files necessary to make the "product" complete [such as additional states] must be bought from Inuit and is expensive.
Rating:
Summary: Great Product, Horrible Marketing
Review: ... As usual, this is a great product. I have been using TurboTax and Quicken for many years. The new versions are my annual Christmas present to myself. However, this year, I think Intuit has let their huge market share go to their head. Quicken 2003 has thankless "forced" advertising, and is only a slight "upgrade." ... Also, do not do Intuit's subscription scam. The cost is just not worth it. Oh, and good luck ever getting to talk to a person to voice these complaints to Intuit. Their online help is good, but if you happen to be in that small percentage of people that can't get help there, be prepared to pay. So, if money is not an issue. Buy these programs. They are good at what they do. But I am not pleased with Intuit as a whole. ...
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